BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5667, 29 May 1879, Page 2

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Education Board was held yesterday. There were present—The Hon. C. J. Pharazyn (in the chair), Messrs. Hutchison, Beetham, Toomath, 0. Pharazyn, Bunny, Gisborne, the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, and the Rev. Mr. Paterson. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £1039 Is. 7d. were passed for payment. The amount of Board'fuuds in hand to meet these payments was stated to be £2016 9a. lid. MR. DOHERTY. Mr. Bunny read to the Board a letter he had received from Mr. Doherty, complaining that the writer had sent two letters to the Board which had been taken no notice of. The Chairman said he had certainly received the letters, but as they had had quite enough of Mr. Doherty, and the letters were very discourteous, he had, after consulting several members of the Board, resolved to take no notice of the communications.

Archdeacon Stock said he had seen the letters, which were couched in a most improper tone.

Mr. Hutchison thought the Chairman had acted improperly. It was his duty to lay everything before the full Board, who would decide as to the course to be followed.

Hr. Gisborne thought the Chairman should be allowed some discretion. Most offensive and improper letters might be received, which, being laid before the full Board, would attain publicity, which might be the aim of the writers.'

The Chairman was resolved, as long as he retained his position, to use his judgment in such matters.

Mr. Toomath thought the chairman had acted rightly. If discourteous letters were received they should be thrown aside. Mr. Bonny said all letters might be laid before the Board, and if improper ones were among them the Press representatives might be asked to retire during their discussion. The matter dropped. THE BOARD’S OFFICERS.

The Chairman said, as the members knew, Mr. Lee had for a considerable time held both the offices of Inspector and Secretary, but his work of inspection had so increased that he could no longer fill the two appointments. What was now proposed was to allow Mr. Lea to devote his whole time to the work of inspection, at a salary of £SOO a year, and that the present clerk, should be appointed secretary, at a salary of £250 a year. Mr. Bunny moved a resolution to that effect. Mr. Gisborne thought this a very important question, and the Board should go into committee for Its discussion. There might be others fitted for the appointments, and they should not settle it off-hand.

Mr. Toomath hoped the Board would go into committee. He had something to say he did not wish published. The Board went into committee, and after a long discussion it was moved by Mr. Bcnnt, and seconded by Mr. C. Phakaztn, — That no change in the position of the officers be made till after the coming session of Parliament ; but that the clerk’s salary be increased by £SO a year from the Ist June last. Mr. Toomath moved as an amendment, seconded by Mr. Gisborne, —That no change be made in existing arrangements. For the motion—The Chairman, Archdeacon Stock, Kev. Mr. Paterson, Messrs. Beetham and Bunny. For the amendment—Messrs. Toomath, Hutchison, and Gisborne. THORNDON SCHOOL SITES. A deputation from the Thorudon school committee waited on the Board to bring the urgent question of school matters in Thorndon before its notice. Mr. Woodward said the state of the main school in Thorndon was disgraceful, and the local committee were most desirous that the Board would urge on the acquisition of a site and the building of a new school with all possible haste. The present school was totally unfit for education purposes. The Chairman said there was no intention, as far as he knew, to do away with the present school on the completion of the new one, which was to be only supplementary to the old building. The Secretary said the intention was to do away with the old Sydney-street school. The site was not the Board’s, it being held on lease. The new school was to be of sufficient size without it.

Mr. Woodward said the price of the proposed site in Sydney-street had been brought down to £IOOO, and the adjoining piece facing Fraser’s-laue could be had for £350. Both pieces of ground should be secured, or an undesirable building might be put on the Fraser’s-lane piece, which they might be compelled to buy and afterwards remove. The local committee considered the Sydney-street site far preferable to the one on the reclaimed laud.

The Chairman said they might be unable to sell tlieir land on the reclamation, and m that case where were their funds to come from. Mr. Bunny said it was very difficult to sell anything just now. But he considered the reclaimed laud the most unsuitable possible site for a school. There waa the tramway to cross, and the new school would be close to the railway. . The Chairman said the question of crossing was net important. Children had to cross streets wherever the school should be. Mr. Woodward would undertake to find a purchaser for their reclaimed land site. If they built there they would be under restrictions as to the material to be used. He hoped too the Board would consult the committee as to the plans for the new schools. The Act prescribed that ; in fact, it was the local committees alone wiio were empowered to build. After a long discussion on thft point, Mr. BnKifY said he could assure Mr, Woodward that he hoped soon Education Boards would be done away with, and that all School Committees would have only the Education Department to deal with.

The Chairman assured Mr. Woodward the Board would carefully consider his representations, and the deputation withdrew. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE. A letter was read from the Education Department to the effect that funds saved from the maintenance of schools could bo spent on new buildings. This was a circular letter, the issue of which was due to the fact that the Otago Board had saved £20,000 from their maintenance funds, which they declined to spend on new buildings, coming to t l e Government tor the money for the latter purpose. Mr. A. C. Phap.azyn thought it superfluous, almost a mockery, to send such a letter to that Beard. They had unt saved £26,000. If they had they would not want directions how to use it. However, they might keep the letter; perhaps some day they might have a few thousands more than they knew what to do with. ESTIMATES. The Education Department wrote asking that the Board would send in on estimate of its total receipts and expenditure for the year ending December 31 next. The subject was referred to the Finance Committee to report on. TERRACE SCHOOL. The question of the removal of a landslip at the Terrace School was referred to the Building Committee, with power to act. The following letter was read:— “ Boulcott-street, Wellington, “May 24, 1879. “ Sir, —I have been desired to forward you the following resolution carried unanimously at a meeting of the Terrace School Committee on the sth iust. :—‘Resolved, that the Board be respectfully requested to declare the Terrace School a district high school under the Act.’ “ The committee beg to submit the following reasons : —l. The masters at present in charge have evinced their capabilities to conduct a high school by the creditable examinations they have passed in the subjects to be taught. “2. Many parents are desirous to obtain instruction in the superior subjects for their children who attend the school; so much so that several of these are at present paying the masters for special lessons in classics and mathematics, after ordinary school hours, and several others are waiting for similar instruction as soon as they make sufficient progress in English subjects. “ 3. The central, yet isolated position of the school renders it peculiarly adapted for the purpose, and the proposed change would offer inducements to many parents (a great number of whom are of the most respectable class in the community) to keep their children longer at school, who may not desire to give them a college education. “ 4. For those parents who wish their children to obtain a liberal education the establishment of a high school would be invaluable, as by that means they would be able to get them taught some knowledge of the elements of the classics and mathematics, and thus enter at once upon the usual college course with that prospect of success which their knowledge of the ordinary English subjects should entitle them. “ 5. Such an institution as is now contemplated by the committee would render powerful aid to the College, as the pupils being well grounded in English subjects and the elements of the higher branches of study, would make the work more easy at college both for pupil and teacher. In proof of the above statement it may be remarked that those pupils who have gone from the State schools to the College, and who have only been instructed in English subjects, have presented a real difficulty to the College authorities in point. of classification ; whereas those pupils whose parents have taken the precaution to have them taught extra subjects have at once taken their true position in the College classification.

“6. It appears to the committee, further, that it is very desirable the largest facility for acquiring au «lementary knowledge of both classics and mathematics, particularly the latter, should be granted by the Board, and in seeking for the privilege they wish it to be understood that it is not in any spirit of monopoly it is asked.—l have, &e., “ W. F. Kennedy, “ Sec. Terrace School Committee. “ Robert Lee, Esq., “ Sec. Board Education, Wellington.” The Rev. Mr. Paterson was gratified at this request. He hoped the Board would encourage such applications, and provide facilities for classical and mathematical teaching in the primary schools. The Chairman thought if common schools were constituted high schools, it would tend to keep out the children of the poorer classes. They would be obliged to refer the question to the Minister of Education.

Mr. Toomath thought to make the one school a high school would draw to it many children from other districts, causing overcrowding. An extremely long and animated discussion ensued, the members being nearly equally divided for and against the proposal. The Chairman thought if one school was made a high school, the others would come and ask to be so constituted.

Mr. Paterson would very much like to see that result. He thought it would be a very good thing indeed for the cause of education. Several speakers feared to accede, to the proposal as it might injure the College, which had already difficulties enough to contend against. Mr. Hutchison said they had not the College to consider. They were there to consider the interests of the great body of the children of the district.

Archdeacon Stock quoted his English experience against the scheme. , i The Eev. Mr. Paterson adduced his Scotch experience in its favor. He believed district, high schools would do the College much good, becoming its feeders. The head master of the College, he might say, was of the same opinion. He thought the Board and the Government had entirely neglected higher education. Ultimately, after several motions had been proposed and withdrawn, it was agreed in view of the interest caused among the members and the great impcrtance of the subject that , it should be fully discussed at the. next meeting. ’ The Bev. Mr. Paterson gave notice that he would then move the acceptance of the suggestion, subject to the approval of the Minister of Education. MOUNT COOK SCHOOLS. Letters were read conveying the resignations of Miss Shrimpf and Miss Meek as teachers. The Secretary said Miss Shrimpf was a niece of Mr. Everiss, and was leaving in consequence of the resignation of her uncle. The Chairman asked why Miss Meek was leaving ? The Secretary believed, though the lady did not say so, she was about to be married. Several members said that was a sufficient reason. Miss Baston was appointed an assistant teacher at Mount Cook. The committee also wrote withdrawing their resignations since the head teacher had resigned. They also asked that a part of the school ground necessary to cross to reach The building should be asphalted; the cost. was estimated at £l4O. Mr. Hutchison said this work wax most - nncessary ; to get into the school a bog had to be crossed by the children. Archdeacon Stock said gravel would be the test ; boys would break up the asphalt. The Board appointed Archdeacon Stock and the Kev. Mr. Paterson to confer with the local committee, with power to act, but not to. expend more than £2OO. CBETXOTTN. A letter was read from the Greytown committee asking that the Board would transmit £IOO towards paying the cost of the teacher’s residence in coarse of erection. Several members said this would he a de- ' parture from a rule the Board had laid down.' It was resolved to inform the committee that when the Board’s architect passed the work it would be paid for. , . :, ; ; A request was also, sent that the. Board would vote £7O towards alterations and extensions to the school building ; the local committee would give £25. Agreed to. , ; - • CARTERTON. An extension of time to the builder of the school was granted. The local committee sent a request that the Board would grant £35 for fencing, roller blinds, closets, a well, tank, &a,.. The money was voted. Some correspondence was read relative to a dispute between theiiead-master and a parent named Baggallay. The latter’s son had Teen' sent away from school by the master for untidiness and uncleanliness, and the father iminediately wrote a letter to the master stating among other things that his son was far cleaner . than the master’s daughter s head, which was a nuisance to the school, .ana, advising the master to attend to duties, of , teaching instead of criticiringhispupiis appear-,, ances. The letter was worded throughout in most emphatic and uncourteous terms, -he master laid the case before the committee, who ; ordered Mr. Baggalla/a four children -to

withdraw from the school. Mr. Baggallay thereupon appealed to the Board, saying he had read the Act, and desiring to bo informed which was the strongest, the Carterton committee or the Government of New Zealand. A long discussion took place, several members saying the committee bad exceeded its powers in turning away the children for the fault of the father. Ultimately it was resolved that Mr. Beethara should endeavor to bring about peace between all parties. A request was sent by the local committee, asking the Board to give the master £lO a year increase of salary, and after considerable discussion the request was refused. NOATARAWA HCHOOL. A request was received from the Ngatarawa committee, asking that the teacher’s garden should be fenced from the playground. Mr. Toomath would say anoe more that they were keeping on paying money to country districts while there were a thousand children in Wellington growing up uneducated. The Request was refused. GLADSTONE. The Gladstone committee wrote, complaining that during the winter months they could not keep up a good average attendance of scholars. The roads in the district were very bad, and they hoped the Board, in dealing with the capitation grant, would make allowance for this. No action was taken, KURAFUNI, A letter was received from a number of settlers at Kurapuui, near Masterton, asking that their settlement should have a separate school. They did not wish to be constituted a separate school district. The nearest school was about two miles distant. Mr. Donald would give an acre of land for a site. The Board accepted the acre of land, and referred the question of the school to the building committee. LOWBR HUTT. A request was received from the Lower Hutt for an alteration in one of the classrooms, to provide more room. The Secretary said the school was rather crowded, and they could put up a small gallery for about £5 that would seat fifty children. Mr. Toomath would like to know what they (the Hutt committee) did with their capitation money. It was preposterous to bring nine gentlemen there month after month to discuss potty matters like this, which could be settled by the local committees. They dribbled away their funds in this manner while they were wanted urgently for other purposes. The money was granted. A request for two additional rooms to the teacher’s house was refused. EKETAHUNA. A letter was received from Mr. Green, who had been requested by the Board to inspect the erection of the Eketahuna school, stating that Mr. Petherick, the builder, was using timber in the building that could not be handled without falling to pieces, and was generally doing the work in a most slovenly and improper manner. The same builder had erected a hotel for him (Mr. Green), and within four months after its being finished he had spent an enormous sum in repairing deficiencies. The Board, after some discussion, resolved that the builder should bo informed before he received payment he would be obliged to satisfy Mr. Green as to the quality of the work. PARK VALE. A letter was received from the Park Vale Committee, stating that they recommended the acceptance of the tender of Mr. W. B. Allen, for the erection of the school, though it was £lO higher (£215) than the lowest tender, that of Mr. Petherick. Mr. Allen’s tender was accepted. KAIWAKRA. A number of tenders had been sent in for the erection of a new school at Kaiwarra. Mr. Toomath thought the tenders should be opened iq committee. Great inconvenience had been caused by the publication of tenders before acceptance. There was a long discussion on this subject, several members disagreeing to the course proposed by Mr. Toomath. Mr. BONNY said by the publication of all the tenders great evil had been caused. A man might tender at £BOO. The next lowest tenderer might be for £IOOO. He would go to the £BOO man, whose tender had been accepted, and advise him not to fulfil his engagement and make good bis deposit money, which would be forfeited. The £IOOO tenderer being the next lowest would then get the contract., Mr. Toomath moved that uo tender be made public until fully accepted, and the necessary guarantees entered into. He would have no objection to the secretary supplying the Press with the information when all had been settled. Mr, HUTCHISON said that would be an extraordinary way of proceeding. They could not expect the Press running after them seeking information, nor would the public place much reliance on news obtained in that eort of way. The motion was carried, only Messrs. Hutchison and Beetham voting against it. COMMITTEE REPORTS. The Building Committee reported that it had authorised Mr. Toxward to supervise the erection of the new school at the Upper Hutt, Mr. E. Grey to supervise the building of a teacher’s house at Greytown ; had authorised the calling for designs for a new school at Newtown, and the making of twelve 14 feet desks for the Upper Hutt school.. The Appointment Committee reported it had appointed Mr. J. Donnelly temporary master at Newtown, and Misses A. Dowaell and K. Watkins to be assistant teachers at Thorndon. Both.reports.were adopted. SAHARA. Mr. Wakelin, late head-master of Greytown, wrote asking to be appointed teacher at Kaitara during the winter months.—The application was supported by the residents of the district, and the Board acceded to it. TAUHBRINIKAU. Mrs. Fugle was appointed to the Tauherinikau school, to take charge in July. UPPER HUTT. Mrs, Jordon, of Wanganui, was appointed assistant. teacher at the Upper Hutt. There were several applicants. SUPERNUMERARIES. The inspector recommended the appointment of several supernumerary teachers. In the Wellington schools there were often one or more of the lady assistants absent through illness, or bad weather, and the head masters complained that they seldom had their foil teaching staff all present. A supernumerary would-be able at any time to proceed to taka the duties of a sick teacher or one who desired a holiday. , . The suggestion of the inspector was adopted. HEAD MASTERSHIP. A number of applications for the head mastership at Mount Cook were laid on the table, and on the motion of the Bev. Mr Paterson their discussion was postponed until this morning. . , , MUNOAKOA. A letter was received from Mr. McDonald, builder of the school at Mungaroa, asking the Board not to enforce the fine tor non-com-pletion of the contract to time. The local committee supported the request. The amount of fine was. about £45, and the builder was a poor man. The Board resolved, as they could not make a bad 'precedent iu remitting the whole of the fine, to enforce only £2O deduction. The Board adjourned at 5.15 until 11.15 ».m. to-day.